Join us for an utterly unforgettable afternoon with Spanish Brass, one of the world’s most celebrated brass quintets. This free LJPC concert showcases the brilliance, energy, and artistry that have made Spanish Brass an international favorite for more than 35 years. 

No charge for admission, ever. Free-will offering and donations throughout the year are graciously accepted to sustain this exemplary Community Outreach.

LJPC’s 3rd Annual BRILLIANT BRASS Weekend!

LJPC’s Brilliant Brass weekend welcomes SPANISH BRASS! Our exciting weekend includes the free public concert at 4PM on Sunday, February 1, preceded by a special brass masterclass 10am-12:30pm Saturday, January 31… offering a rare opportunity for you to observe these artists at work mentoring young musicians. 

SATURDAY MASTERCLASS

Top local brass educators have prepared their student ensembles and soloists to take musicianship to the next level. All who are interested are invited to observe. No cost to attend. For more information about this free session or your interest in potentially participating in the 2027 Masterclass, send email to the director at CandaceM@LJPres.org.

SUNDAY CONCERT

You really don’t want to miss the extraordinary experience of resonating brass in the acoustically dynamic environment of  La Jolla Pres Church sanctuary. From the first strains of Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Sheep May Safely Graze” (Cantata BWV 208) through eminently classical Spanish works, Piazzola’s stirring “Libertango,” and sweeping film scores, you are guaranteed to be transported by the virtuosic sounds and entertaining performance of Spanish Brass. Plus, they are just all-around great people and will be eager to meet you at the reception afterward!

COMING SOON:

Stay tuned for the story behind one family’s touching memory of wife/mom/trumpeter and their subsequent creation of a Foundation to support this Brilliant Brass weekend. Express your own interest in providing financial support to the LJPC Concert Brilliant Brass weekend by contacting the Series office at (858) 729-5520 or by email to the director: CandaceM@LJPres.org.

CAN’T MAKE IT TO THE CHURCH ON TIME?

Never fear, our super Tech Team is here to enable your attendance from afar.  So, invite a friend and be sure to join us, whether that’s in-person or online.  

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LJPC Concert Series:
Bringing More Great Music to La Jolla
Since 1959

SAVE THESE 2026 DATES!

April 26, 2026, 4PM

Jeremy Filsell, Concert Organist and Pianist

World class artistry, dual-instrumentalist: Jeremy Filsell’s astonishing virtuosity will mesmerize you as he takes on LJPC’s magnificent, lovingly curated Blackinton pipe organ as well as grand piano. If you love piano music but are not quite sure about the pipe organ, here’s your chance to come listen, watch, and experience the amazing physical feat and extraordinary skill of this dual-instrumentalist. You’re bound to be astounded. You don’t want to miss this! 

June 7, 2026, 4PM
Spring Choral Concert

Hear your LJPC Chancel Choir with chamber orchestra as they present the gorgeous “Illuminaire” by Elaine Hagenberg, and the exciting, uplifting Robert Ray Gospel Mass.  

Using lesser-known sacred Latin, Greek, and English texts, Hagenberg’s “Illuminaire” takes us through a season of beauty and goodness that has been disrupted by darkness and confusion. But as Light gradually returns, hope is restored, illuminating our future and guiding us in peace. Your heart will be soothed and encouraged by the sheer choral beauty of this piece.

Robert Ray’s Gospel Mass has the improvisational feel of gospel, yet is also scored in detail with a restraint that lends the music not only gravitas but the timelessness of a classic. Ray’s gospel idiom is leavened with many other genres, including rock, jazz, funk, blues and pop. The publisher of the score describes it as “hip,” an appellation that seems almost quaint these days, even while the Mass itself fully retains its ability to fascinate listeners with a freshness of vision that has not dimmed in the decades since its premiere.

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 Look-back at LJPC’s 2025 Christmas Concerts

On Sunday, December 14th, LJPC’s Chancel Choir of 65 voices with 34-piece orchestra, organ and piano enchanted the audiences by an exuberant performance of Francis Poulenc’s majestic, joyful “Gloria.” The children’s choirs took the stage at the 4PM afternoon concert and the beautiful sonorities of the Hand Bell Choir filled the sanctuary at the 7PM evening performance. Favorite carols and beautiful scripture readings were woven throughout the program, inviting all — in person and online — to reflect on the spirit and meaning of the season, and relish the warm sense of community with family and friends at La Jolla Pres.

Hear again the captivating LJPC 2025 Young Artists concert in this special ENCORE PERFORMANCE

In collaboration with our good friends of the Musical Merit Foundation of Greater San Diego, we presented three of this year’s top scholarship-winning young musicians. If you missed the live concert, you can hear the recording that captured the extraordinary artistry of mezzo soprano Mariam Mouawad, Ilana Shapiro on flute, and high school student Yoyo Wu on the marimba.

Experience these 3 incredible talents! Click here to enjoy the concert, RECORDED Sunday, November 9th at 4PM.

IF YOU MISSED IT…

We’ll feel sorry that you did because it was an amazing experience to hear Peter Mawanga and his ensemble perform music from the “warm heart of Africa,” Malawi!

On September 28th, we presented a very special concert where attendees stepped with us into the world of Nyanja Afro-Vibes. The soothing vocals and soulful rhythms of Peter Mawanga – ethnomusicologist, songwriter, producer, and educator – came to life with his unique blend of traditional Malawian music and modern influences, Peter’s music transcends borders and speaks to the hearts of music lovers worldwide. We walked away from this sublime experience filled with the spirit!

Concerts This Fall:

Why Support the LJPC Concert Series? A Donor’s Moment with You . . .

LJPC’s sparkling ‘Brilliant Brass’ program is just one of many in the La Jolla Presbyterian Church Concert Series that enrich our community through the universal language of music. We launched this annual Brass program in March 2024 with one local music educator and two brave young musicians participating . . . Center stage, one-on-one, with master musicians. In 2025, the program blossomed to 3 educators and a dozen brass students benefitting from personal coaching by the world-famous Canadian Brass. Imagine the inspiration derived from receiving one-on-one mentoring from your idols!

Your donations to our series not only help keep this tradition alive but also ensure that we can continue to host these inspiring events. . . . And since you asked, “YES! Our plans are already set for February 1, 2026!” We are thrilled to feature yet another world-class ensemble coming to perform in concert and generously share their expertise in a masterclass that’s destined to impact even more students in the LJPC sanctuary.

Each concert like this represents an opportunity to celebrate, remember, and connect—just as we honor memories like those of Peggy Williams Doole whose family sponsored a great part of our initial 2024 Brilliant brass weekend. By contributing, you’re supporting a space for artistic expression and community bonding that echoes through generations.

Join us in making music a pivotal part of our community’s life and legacy.

The LJPC Concert Series:

This 65-year-strong series is funded ENTIRELY by your generous donations.

There are 3 easy ways to give:

Experience the artistry and music of the LJPC Concert Series anytime on YouTube! Dive back into your favorite performances and discover new ones from our archives. Whether you’re reminiscing or exploring, our YouTube channel offers a rich array of concerts to enjoy. Click here to see the Playlist.